Hebert Claims Dramatic 358 Modified Show

DRUMMONDVILLE, Quebec – After some dramatic final laps, David Hebert charged to victory in Friday’s DIRTcar 358-Modified Series feature at Autodrome Drummond.

A last-lap caution gave runner-up Mario Clair to challenge for the lead, but Hebert stayed strong through a green-white-checkered finish

“It was a good race. The car was really good, really fast,” Hebert said. “It feels very good to win this race. This is the race to win.”

The 75-lap race, the fifth round of the series, drew an impressive field of 48 cars to the Quebec track to compete for just 30 starting spots in the feature. With a lap time of 17.384 putting him third overall in time trials and a heat race win, Hebert had no trouble getting into the show.

It was Steve Paine, however drew the pole starting position. Pain was also strong right off the trailer, placing fourth overall in time trials and also winning his heat. He chose the outside at the initial start but was outrun at the green flag by Mario Clair in the 22c. Hebert was also fast on the outside, and in lap 3 cruised around Clair in turn two.

“The track was really fast on the top and not so much on the bottom,” said Hebert, who took advantage of speed on the outside groove to tackle lapped cars early on.

However, Clair knew the track as well and kept up with the leader, riding Hebert’s bumper for a lap then racing side-by-side in lap 19. Clair’s position on the top of the track gave him an edge, but approaching cars from the back of the field in his lane slowed him.